TCD MS 10516 folio 46 recto
Saturday: September 16 th. 1916: Kurna.
Reached Kurna this morning. At dawn we left our resting-place near the dredger and slipped down stream before a very gentle breeze. Everything now favoured us; we had escaped the annoyances of the lake. The water was deep; the current in our favour; the wind astern; all aided to move us down the stream.
Tall reeds fringed the river, haunted by numbers of water-birds. At first the wind was a faint stream of air. Our largest sail was hoisted. Soon the wind freshened and we heeled well over as we dashed gaily along.
Found my other bellums at Chabaish, all well. Sent word to Kurna to intimate arrival. At first the wind was strong; we made excellent progress. Some five miles from Kurna the wind headed us off at a sharp bend in the river. We were close-